DUBAI: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday cautioned US PresidentDonald Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran, saying“America should know … war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” but hedid not rule out peace between the two countries, either.

Iran faces increased US pressure and looming sanctions after Trump’sdecision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international deal overIran’s nuclear programme.

Addressing a gathering of Iranian diplomats, Rouhani said: “Mr Trump, don’tplay with the lion’s tail, this would only lead to regret,” the state newsagency IRNA reported.

“America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, andwar with Iran is the mother of all wars,” Rouhani said, leaving open thepossibility of peace between the two countries which have been at oddssince the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“You are not in a position to incite the Iranian nation against Iran’ssecurity and interests,” Rouhani said, in an apparent reference to reportedefforts by Washington to destabilise Iran’s Islamic government.

In Washington, US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that theTrump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and onlinecommunications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end itsnuclear programme and its support of militant groups.

Current and former US officials said the campaign paints Iranian leaders ina harsh light, at times using information that is exaggerated orcontradicts other official pronouncements, including comments by previousadministrations.

Rouhani scoffed at Trump’s threat to halt Iranian oil exports and said Iranhas a dominant position in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a major oilshipping waterway.